Kingdom of Mirrors and Roses

by A. W. Cross

  “You have many strengths. Power, privilege, and opportunity abound in your life, yet you choose to occupy yourself with selfish ambition, greed, and pride. There are many who would follow you, if you led with a better example.”

  “If others want to better themselves then they can work hard for it. If you’re looking for some handout or want my father’s money, you’ll not get it from me.”

  The woman smiled, though her eyes narrowed with a gleam that made me lean away from her. Where was Carson? He was not going to be happy when Daddy got a hold of him for leaving me with this woman by myself.

  “You are correct. It is up to every individual to work hard and provide for their own way in this world. However, one can be kind and generous in order to help others see the potential they hold inside themselves. In so doing, they will inspire others to be their best. This is a lesson you must learn.”

  I tried to step away as the woman reached for me, but something locked me in place as if the air around me squeezed in and held me in a vice. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

  Her fingers touched the side of my face, so lightly I could barely feel them. “By day your beauty will conceal your intellect within simple speech and each night your selfish pride will manifest in beastly form. Your reason and appearance will reveal your character without as it is within until such a time when you are willing to make a personal sacrifice for another. One that causes them to see the beauty you hold on the inside through kindness, generosity, and humility. Only then will your bonds release. However, the one who benefits must believe in the goodness of your heart on their own without persuasion. Through your actions alone, you must prove the changes in your heart.”

  The woman pulled away and clasped her hands in front of herself.

  In a sudden whoosh, whatever held me in place disappeared and I wobbled. Throwing my hand against the wall, I braced myself and glared at the woman.

  “How did you do that?” Her little speech was ridiculous, but I couldn’t deny that something had wrapped around me and then left. Whatever type of magician she was, I needed her out of the house. “Leave now.”

  “The effects of my blessing have begun and will be complete by tomorrow as the sun sets. At that time, you will have until the seasons change and the roses die for the winter to seal your fate—good or bad. If you have not learned to put others ahead of yourself by then, the condition shall last your lifetime.”

  “Get out!” I screamed.

  A shooting pain shot through my temples. I winced and brought my hand over my face. When it subsided, I readied myself to force the woman to leave, but she wasn’t there. I snapped my head one direction and then the next, spinning around to see if she’d moved by me. I hadn’t heard the door open or close, and she couldn’t have been that fast.

  “Stella,” Carson called to me as he descended the stairs. “Are you all right? Why are you still down here? I’ll bring the last bag. Don’t worry yourself about that scratch. We’ll get it fixed as good as new.”

  What? He acted as if no time at all had passed. “Where have you been? Why didn’t you come back and help me?”

  “That’s what I’m doing now.” He pinched his brow and seemed confused.

  Had he not heard me arguing with that woman? “You could have come back and helped me with her.”

  “Her? I went upstairs when the deliveryman left. Who are you referring to?”

  I stared at him, stunned. I turned away as I tried to make sense of everything. Was that even possible.? How could anything make sense when I didn’t understand what happened? Did it happen?

  I needed to get some sleep.

  “Maybe I’m just tired. I was reading and probably just thought of something else.” I nodded. That had to be it. Though, that was a vivid experience, and I didn’t have that great of an imagination.

  “It’s a good idea to get some rest. You’ve had a long day,” Carson agreed.

  I squeezed past him and trudged up the stairs, trying to put the pieces together of what had just happened. I wasn’t convinced I’d made it up, but I certainly wasn’t convinced it had happened either. Behind me the doorbell rang, and I almost fell down the stairs when I missed a step. Spinning around, I called out to Carson. “Don’t open that.”

  “I believe it’s your dinner from Chang’s.”

  “What if it isn’t?”

  Carson climbed two stairs as he stared into my face. “You said ‘she’ earlier. You saw a woman? What did she look like?”

  Having him scrutinize me so intensely made me shrink back. Suddenly, I didn’t know what to say, so I shook my head lightly. “It was nothing, I’m sure I’m just tired—and hungry.” I smiled, though it felt strained. The bell rang again. “You should get that.”

  For another couple of heartbeats, Carson continued to stare at me, searching my face for answers I didn’t want to provide. Finally, he sighed and went to the door.

  I scooted to the wall where I couldn’t be seen from the doorway and listened. It was the takeout and nothing more it seemed. When Carson stepped further into the entry and saw me plastered against the wall, he cocked his head. His lips tightened into a thin white line, as if he was upset. Then, he straightened his shoulders seeming to reset him composure.

  “Would you like to eat down here or up in your room?”

  “My room,” I said. “I’d like to have some time to myself.”

  He nodded. “I’ll put it on a tray and bring it up shortly. And, Stella, don’t worry about anything. You know that Mrs. Potter and I will always be here to care for you, right?”

  That was an odd thing to say. I didn’t need any more odd. “I know.” I spun and jogged up the stairs and didn’t stop until I was in my room with the door firmly closed behind me.

  I stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Who was that woman? And where did Tony go? He must have slipped out like a coward and then left the door open for that crazy to get inside. The nerve of some people.

  Throwing off the covers, I hopped out of bed, narrowly missing the tray holding my empty dishes I’d set on the floor earlier.

  If I was going to be awake, I might as well get some work done. I needed to photograph the artifacts from my trip. Each item was unique and would draw a high sale price. Though, I had to laugh. My clients would never believe something of value came from the dirty little shops where I’d found such treasures.

  Everything seemed so out of place sitting on the floor of my bedroom, and that wouldn’t do for photos. I glanced around and found the perfect spot on my dresser. I cleared off the dance trophies, a dried corsage from Billy Turner that went straight to the trash, several football game ticket stubs, and a stick pom from the big rally before the basketball team went to state.

  It had all seemed so important to me at the time, and now, none of it was worth anything, unlike my antique beauties. I arranged the three pieces: a ceramic bowl, an iron candlestick that had caused me to pay extra for the weight, and a statue of a little prince with his dog. When I finally broke myself away from fidgeting over the last millimeter of positioning, I twisted to find my phone.

  I stopped cold in my tracks. There was a noise downstairs. It was too late for Carson to still be up, Mrs. Potter wasn’t home, and Daddy would have checked in if he had arrived. Everything came crashing back from earlier in the evening. Which one of those two freaks had come back to make a score? I knew they were up to something.

  Grabbing the silky robe I’d tossed onto the chair in the corner, I slipped it on and turned out my light. The hall was dark when I cracked open the door to peek. Another sound echoed from downstairs. Whoever it was sounded like they were in Daddy’s office.

  3

  Ben

  I stared at the stucco row house for several minutes as I debated following through with my plan. Everything inside of me said to walk away, but defying the leader of the MOD could get you killed, even if he was your dad.

  I’d kept myself
on the fringes as much as I could. There wasn’t as much pressure when I was younger, but things had changed since I’d graduated from high school. Unlike the guys I grew up with, who were also part of the motorcycle club, I never saw a stint in prison as a rite of passage into adulthood. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the guys. They were family. But . . . they were also criminals.

  I’d spent two weeks in juvie, twice, and that was enough for me. Except, now I was about to sneak into some rich dude’s house and steal some antique. It was hard to believe he’d been my dad’s best friend when they were kids.

  Somehow, this guy managed to get the attention of a New York boss who’d paid for his college. He’d left the neighborhood behind and acted like he was some big shot, upstanding citizen, but he couldn’t pretend forever. He was just arrested for his ties to the mafia, and my dad sent me to collect a long overdue debt.

  I didn’t need this trouble, but Pete needed his medicine. He also needed a dad that cared and a mom who didn’t shoot all the grocery money into her veins. If it wasn’t for my little brother, I’d have left town the day after graduation.

  I adjusted the black ski mask and made my choice. I just needed to find something gold—an incense burner. I pulled out the crude drawing my father had sketched out. This house vibrated with money, yet I had to risk everything for a knickknack.

  I whispered a laugh at the absurdity, and because the backdoor clicked open. I was out of practice. It had taken a full thirty seconds to pick the lock. When I was twelve, I could get the job done in fifteen. I’d gotten rusty in the last six years.

  They told me there shouldn’t be anyone home, but there were dishes in a drying rack on the counter as I entered through the kitchen. I no longer trusted the information they’d given me. Though, I’d come by two nights before to case the place myself, and it had been empty then, so I had no idea who might have returned.

  I hurried through the plush living room and found the office right where Iron had said it would be at the front of the house. The item I looked for was about eight inches tall with some jewels speckled on it, and had a filigreed domed lid. What the hell made this one thing so important I had to risk jail time for it? Well, I risked jail for Pete, but even so.

  I’d searched through all the drawers in the desk after I’d made sure it wasn’t on any of the shelves. It seemed like something this guy might display rather than lock away. There had to be a safe somewhere. I tilted all the pictures on the wall because that’s where I’d seen rich people hide safes in the movies.

  There wasn’t anything here. It hadn’t been a sure thing that the burner would be in the office, or even in the house, for that matter. The guy was a lawyer and had a fancy office in DC I’d argued that he could have a safety deposit box also, but for whatever reason, my dad believed his old pal would keep it close. Two powerful men fighting over an incense burner was ridiculous. I rubbed the hot, itchy mask as I tried to think.

  Maybe if I searched through the files, I’d find some kind of information that Iron could use as blackmail. There wasn’t a computer, which made sense. The guy probably kept a laptop with him, or left it at work. I hated to think of it, but Pete was already a pretty good hacker. Maybe he could go online and dig into the guys records. If he found any payments for a storage facility or other homes, I’d search there too. These types always had vacation homes, didn’t they?

  From my recon, I knew all the bedrooms were on the second level and I was about to head there when I thought I heard a noise in the entryway. I held my breath and listened. It was quiet. There were too many signals that this wasn’t a good night to be here. I decided to give up and come back another time when I could search with certainty that no one was home.

  I snuck to the doorway of the office and listened once more. It was still quiet, so I left the office to hurry back the way I came when someone ran smack into me.

  Out of instinct more than anything, I reached out to help the one who had fallen. I couldn’t help but smile when it turned out to be a gorgeous brunette. The umbrella she held had fallen to the floor beside her. She was sexy in her little pink tank top and shorts with a silky robe hanging open.

  But my admiration was short lived because she kneed me in the groin, and I doubled over in pain.

  I willed myself to recover and glared at the girl, now holding her umbrella again like a baseball bat. Despite my agony and the circumstances, I had to chuckle. She was all riled up and sassy.

  Like an idiot, I raised my hands like I’d go quietly as I inched my feet closer. She wasn’t a threat and I could certainly outrun her to get away. I don’t know why I stayed.

  I’d play along, but I couldn’t take much time. If I failed, I’d have to face Iron.

  4

  Stella

  I tip-toed downstairs, hugging the wall. It was a little thrilling to think of myself as the predator sneaking through the bushes after the unsuspecting prey. I whispered a laugh and slammed my hand over my mouth.

  I’d never make it as a spy!

  The rustling coming from the office stopped. I closed my eyes and inwardly groaned. At the same time, I realized that my phone was sitting on my dresser where I’d been about to take a photo. There were no pockets in my robe.

  There were only two steps left before I made it to the landing, and I needed to at least have a weapon. Near the front door was an old umbrella stand Daddy had found in England. The umbrellas were for show, but I figured they could work as a bat.

  It was better than nothing.

  Sliding around the corner, I reached out for the first handle I could find while keeping my eyes trained on the hallway that led to Daddy’s office. Wrapping my fingers around the curved wood, I clutched it to my chest and hurried across the foyer to plaster myself on the opposite wall.

  When I reached the corner, I hesitated and took a deep breath—then three more. I could do this. I’m strong. I’m powerful. I’m a winner. I mentally repeated my morning affirmations and tightened my grip. Go!

  Rushing around the corner, ready to catch those con-artists in the act—I smacked right into a solid body and fell onto my butt. My tailbone cracked against the hardwood floor, causing me to lose my weapon as well as my ability to breathe.

  Fingers wrapped around my arms and pulled me to my feet in one smooth motion. I wobbled for a second before I realized it was the intruder who’d helped me up. With my wits returned, I slammed my knee into the groin in front of me.

  With a grunt, my captor crumpled over and I scrambled backward. The umbrella laid partially open on the floor, and I snatched it up. The stupid thing opened more, and I had to wrestle it back into the tight shape I needed.

  I’d just snapped the strap and raised it over my shoulder like a bat when I noticed that the thief had steadied himself. There was a full moon outside, and the light slicing through the tall living room windows was enough for me to see a man with his face covered by a full ski mask. Openings allowed a view to his eyes and the smirk on his mouth as he waited for me to settle myself.

  “Stay back!” I shouted.

  He raised his hands; the smirk growing wider. “I’m at your mercy.”

  “Who are you? Did Tony send you? Or that woman?” I glared and tried to keep myself steady, though my insides were wobbly.

  The guy inched closer.

  “Don’t move! I’m calling the cops.” In the back of my mind, I realized that the security system should have already notified them, but I had to focus on the intruder in front of me.

  With his hands still up, but no longer as high, he halted. “I don’t know who Tony is. I have a cousin with that name, but he lives up in Jersey, so I don’t think you know him. I’m here to pick up a trinket that belongs to someone else. It seems it made its way here by mistake. It would be great if you’d point out something that looks kind of like a vase with a lid. He only gave me a bad drawing.”

  I gaped at the audacity of the guy. Shaking my head to process his words. “Who are you? I’m sure yo
u’ve already filled your pockets with enough to sell for the drugs or whatever you plan to buy. Now, get out!”

  He lowered his hands and sobered. I swallowed hard and took a step backward.

  “Now look, I’m not some junkie. If you help me find what I’m looking for, I’ll be out of your pretty little way.” The little curl to his lip returned as he glanced down my body.

  Suddenly self-conscious of the fact that I was only in my tank and sleeping shorts, I scrunched my shoulders, trying to ease the flimsy silk robe around me more without having to lower the umbrella I still wielded.

  “It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for. You . . . You’re . . . Just bad, so leave.” Wow! That was as threatening as a ten-year-old in the lunchroom. I had grown too flustered and needed to get away.

  The crunch of tires sounded from the driveway outside the front door. It had to be the police. I only had to wait for another minute. I saw the intruder’s eyes dart toward the sound before landing on me again. I lowered the umbrella just a little because my arms had tired.

  “You’re too late. It’s jail for you. If I had to guess, I’d say that’s probably someplace you’re familiar with.”

  In one large step, he was leaning over me. I bit back a scream and stared, feeling my eyes grow far too wide. The tip of my umbrella scraped on the floor when I dropped my arm. So much for defending myself.

  “You shouldn’t be so quick to judge. We might be more alike than you realize.” He leaned back and fought another grin. “I might be a prince and you missed your chance, princess.”

  He reached up and swiped his forefinger down the tip of my nose. I jerked back with a glare as he spun and rushed through the great room toward the kitchen.